Animal appeal: Harbor Humane Society asks for help

Peg McNichol

Tuesday

Aug 28, 2012 at 12:01 AMAug 28, 2012 at 4:36 PM

The "entire Lakeshore region has been generous to us," said Harbor Humane Executive Directors Lisa Lungaro, hopeful that the shelter's latest funding campaign, an urgent appeal for $75,000 to pay for medical treatment of extremely ill or injured cats and dogs, will reach its goal. Other fundraisers include asking the more-than 5,000 fans of Harbor Humane's Facebook page to give $5 apiece toward the shelter's operating expenses and a Sept. 8 "Putts for Paws" golf outing at Grand Haven Country Club.

Lisa Lungaro strides though Harbor Humane Society's kennel area, where dozens of dogs with furiously wagging tails are barking for attention. She exchanges a few words with the staff and volunteers busy caring for the dogs, then pushes a door to the relative quiet area outside, walking among kennels and a series of fenced in yards where more volunteers work with individual dogs. Less than a year ago, Lungaro switched from her career as a banker to Harbor Humane's executive director. Still, she spends most of her days crunching numbers.

The "entire Lakeshore region has been generous to us," Lungaro said, hopeful that the shelter's latest funding campaign, an urgent appeal for $75,000 to pay for medical treatment of extremely ill or injured cats and dogs, will reach its goal. Other fundraisers include asking the more-than 5,000 fans of Harbor Humane's Facebook page to give $5 apiece toward the shelter's operating expenses and a Sept. 8 "Putts for Paws" golf outing at Grand Haven Country Club.

Lungaro said because Harbor Humane is organized as a 501c3k nonprofit, donations are critical; no money comes from federal or state agencies or the National Humane Society. Money is donated by large corporations, such as PETCO's foundation, but sometimes that money can only be spent on specified items: capital improvement or neutering, for example, she said.

In addition to cash, Lungaro said, Harbor Humane often appeals for basic supplies, such as dry food for dogs or cats, which is always needed. The average cost per day to run the shelter is $2,700, Lungaro said. An army of about 250 active volunteers help with feeding and socializing animals, moving them from the shelter to adoption events and back again and working at fundraising events.

Some rescued or relinquished cats and dogs merely need shelter, food and attention while waiting for what rescue workers call "a furever home." Other animals need basic surgeries, such as neutering, while a third group needs long-term or critical care, Lungaro said. She cited Corporal, a dog found in a ditch in May, as one who needed long-term care and rehabilitation before qualifying for the up-for-adoption list. Corporal came to the shelter in mid-May, Lungaro said, weighing 14 pounds; these days the medium-sized dog is at a healthful weight of nearly 45 pounds, "but has to get some muscle strength back," she said. Updates on Corporal's progress are being posted on Harbor Humane's Facebook page.

Jody Young said she started volunteering at the shelter about a year ago, partly because she loves animals, but more because her daughter, Adriana Piffer, 11, wanted to help out — she hopes to become a veterinarian some day. While Adriana coaxed one dog to run and play, Young watched a tiny Yorkie named Teddy.

"It gives me a feeling of happiness, knowing Teddy is going to be OK," Young said. Meanwhile, inside Harbor Humane's kitten room, Christina Deconinck sat on the floor petting a calico-tiger kitten as dozens of others mewed for their turns. Asked why she donates her time to Harbor Humane, Deconinck shrugged and grinned, answering, "How can you not?"

Volunteers spend at least 10 minutes with each dog or cat.

To learn more about Harbor Humane's donation needs or for information on volunteering, providing foster care or adopting a cat or dog, visit harborhumane.org.

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